Method of producing coloured plastics or polymeric color particles

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method of producing coloured plastics or polymeric colour particles, in which there is used the dye of formula (1), together with the dye of formula (2) and a UV absorber and, optionally, further dyes, especially in the colouring of beer bottles of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The present invention relates to a method of producing coloured plastics or polymeric colour particles.

Dyes and their use in colouring plastics and polymeric particles are known. It has been found, however, that using the known dyes on their own for colouring plastics in the mass does not always fully meet the increased demands, especially with respect to light-fastness properties. There is accordingly a need for new colouring methods that yield colourations in the mass that have a high tinctorial strength and, especially, light fastness and high temperature light fastness and that exhibit good all-round fastness properties.

It has now been found, surprisingly, that the method according to the invention substantially meets the above criteria.

The present invention accordingly relates to a method of producing coloured plastics or polymeric colour particles, in which there is used the dye of formula

together with the dye of formula

and a UV absorber and, optionally, further dyes.

The amounts in which the dyes are admixed with the plastics or polymeric particles to be coloured can vary within wide limits depending on the desired depth of shade; in general, amounts of from 0.001 to 5% by weight, especially from 0.01 to 2% by weight, more especially from 0.03 to 0.5% by weight, based on the material to be dyed, have proved to be advantageous.

UV absorbers suitable for the method according to the invention include especially 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazoles, 2-hydroxybenzophenones, esters of substituted or unsubstituted benzoic acid, acrylates, oxamides, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazines, monobenzoates of resorcinol and formamidines, and also a polyester UV absorber of formula

having a specific weight of from 1200 to 1400, preferably from 1300 to 1350, at 25° C.

From the class of the 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazoles the following, for example, may be mentioned: 2-(2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3′,5′-di-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(5′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2′-hydroxy-5′-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3′,5′-di-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(3′-sec-butyl-5′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2′-hydroxy-4′-octyloxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3′,5′-di-tert-amyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3′,5′-bis(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-octyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(3′-tert-butyl-5′-[2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)carbonylethyl]-2-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole, 2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-octyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3′-tert-butyl-5′-[2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)carbonylethyl]-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3′-dodecyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-iso-octyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyl-benzotriazole, 2,2′-methylene-bis[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-6-benzotriazol-2-ylphenol]; the transesterification product of 2-[3′-tert-butyl-5′-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)-2′-hydroxyphenyl]-2H-benzotriazole with polyethylene glycol 300; [R-CH₂CH₂-COO—CH₂CH₂

₂, wherein R=3′-tert-butyl-4′-hydroxy-5′-2H-benzotriazol-2-ylphenyl, 2-[2′-hydroxy-3′-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-5′-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl]benzotriazole; and 2-[2′-hydroxy-3′-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-5′-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)phenyl]benzotriazole.

From the class of the 2-hydroxybenzophenones the following, for example, may be mentioned: 4-hydroxy, 4-methoxy, 4-octyloxy, 4-decyloxy, 4-dodecyloxy, 4benzyloxy, 4,2′,4′-trihydroxy and 2′-hydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxy derivatives.

From the class of the 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazines the following, for example, may be mentioned: 2,4,6-tis(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis(2-hydroxympropyloxyphenyl)-6-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(4-methylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-dodecyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-tridecyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-butyloxypropyloxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-octyloxypropyloxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[4-(dodecyloxy/tridecyloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-dodecyloxypropoxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-hexyloxy)phenyl-4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4,6tris[2-hydroxy-4-(3-butoxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]-1,3,5-triazine and 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine.

From the class of the oxamides the following, for example, may be mentioned: 4,4′-dioctyloxyoxanilide, 2,2′-diethoxyoxanilide, 2,2′-dioctyloxy-5,5′-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2,2′-didodecyloxy-5,5′-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2-ethoxy-2′-ethyloxanilide, N,N′-bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)oxamide, 2-ethoxy-5-tert-butyl-2′-ethyloxanilide and a mixture thereof with 2-ethoxy-2′-ethyl-5,4′-di-tert-butoxanilide, mixtures of o- and p-methoxy-disubstituted oxanilides and mixtures of o- and p-ethoxy-disubstituted oxanilides.

As esters of substituted or unsubstituted benzoic acid the following, for example, may be mentioned: 4-tert-butyl-phenyl salicylate, phenyl salicylates, octylphenyl salicylates, dibenzoylresorcinol, bis(4-tert-butylbenzoyl)resorcinol, benzoylresorcinol, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, hexadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, octadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate and 2-methyl-4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate.

From the class of the acrylates the following, for example, may be mentioned: ethyl-α-cyano-β,β-diphenyl acrylate, isooctyl-α-cyano-β,β-diphenyl acrylate, methyl-α-methoxycarbonylcinnamate, methyl-α-cyano-β-methyl-p-methoxycinnamate, butyl-α-cyano-β-methyl-p-methoxycinnamate, methyl-α-methoxycarbonyl-p-methoxycinnamate and N-(β-methoxycarbonyl-β-cyanovinyl)-2-methylindoline.

A resorcinol monobenzoate is, for example, a compound of formula

A formamidine is, for example, a compound of formula

As UV absorbers it is also possible to use compositions comprising active methine compounds, for example unsubstituted or substituted malonate esters, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,740, WO-A-02/14418, EP-A-0 350 386, U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,566, U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,772 and EP-A-0 272 692.

The amount of the UV absorber can vary within a wide range; advantageously from 0.01 to 1.0% by weight, especially from 0.02-to 0.6% by weight, and more especially from 0.05 to 0.4% by weight of a UV absorber, based on the weight of the plastics or polymeric particles, is used.

The compounds of formulae (1) to (5) are known and can be prepared by known methods in a manner known per se.

The method, according to the invention, of producing coloured plastics or polymeric colour particles Is carried out, for example, by admixing, with those substrates, the dyes of formulae (1) and (2) and a UV absorber using roll mills or mixing or grinding apparatuses, as a result of which the dye and the UV absorber are dissolved or finely dispersed in the high molecular weight material. Admixture of the dyes and UV absorber can be effected simultaneously or successively and the order of addition can be selected as desired.

The dyes of formulae (1) and (2) can also be used in combination with other dyes.

Preference is given to a combination of the dyes of formulae (1) and (2) and the dye of formula

The high molecular weight organic material together with the admixed dyes and UV absorber is then processed using methods known per se such as, for example, calendering, compression moulding, extrusion, coating, spinning, pouring or injection moulding, as a result of which the coloured material obtains its final form.

Admixture of the dyes and the UV absorber can also be effected immediately prior to the actual processing step, for example by continuously and simultaneously feeding a dye in powder form, a UV absorber in powder form and a granulated or pulverulent, high molecular weight organic material and, optionally, also additional ingredients, such as, for example, additives, directly into the intake zone of an extruder wherein mixing occurs just before processing. Generally, however, it is preferable to mix the dye and the UV absorber into the high molecular weight organic material beforehand, since more uniformly coloured products can be obtained.

In order to produce non-rigid shaped articles or to reduce their brittleness, it is frequently desirable to add so-called plasticisers to the high molecular weight compounds prior to shaping. There may be used as plastcisers, for example, esters of phosphoric acid, phthalic acid or sebacic acid. In the method according to the invention, the plasticisers can be incorporated into the polymers before or after incorporation of the colorant. It is furthermore possible, in order to achieve different colour shades, also to add to the high molecular weight organic substances, in addition to the dyes of formulae (1) and (2), further dyes or other colorants in any amounts, optionally together with further additives such as, for example, fillers or siccatives.

Preference is given to the colouring of thermoplastic plastics, especially in the form of granules or mouldings, such as, for example, containers for solid or liquid substances, for example bottles, especially containers and bottles for drinks, more especially for beer. Preferred high molecular weight organic materials that can be coloured in accordance with the invention are generally polymers having a dielectric constant ≧2.5, especially polyesters, polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, styrene/acrylonitrile (SAN) and acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene (ABS).

Special preference is given to polyesters and polyamide. More especially preferred are linear aromatic polyesters, which can be obtained by polycondensation of terephthalic acid and glycols, especially ethylene glycol, or condensation products of terephthalic acid and 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane, for example polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBTP); also polycarbonates, e.g. those from α,α-dimethyl-4,4-dihydroxy-diphenylmethane and phosgene, or polymers based on polyvinyl chloride and also on polyamide, for example polyamide 6 or polyamide 6.6.

Preferably, the dyes of formulae (1) and (2) are used to colour beer bottles of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), it also being possible for beer bottles that have already been produced to be coloured, for example by spraying on or applying those dyes or a mixture comprising those dyes and a UV absorber.

The materials mentioned hereinabove, especially those of polyester, that have been coloured using the method according to the invention are distinguished by level and tinctorially strong colour shades having very good in-use fastness properties, especially a good light fastness and high temperature light fastness.

The invention relates also to the use of a combination of the dyes of formulae (1) and (2) and a UV absorber in colouring plastics or polymeric particles.

The invention relates furthermore to the plastics coloured in the mass by the methods mentioned hereinabove.

The following Examples serve to illustrate the invention. Unless specified otherwise, the parts are parts by weight and the percentages are percentages by weight. The temperatures are given in degrees Celsius. The relationship between parts by weight and parts by volume is the same as between grams and cubic centimetres.

EXAMPLE 1

1200.00 g of polyester granules (PET Arnite D04-300, DSM) are pre-dried for 4 hours at 130° C. and then homogeneously mixed with

0.16 g of the dye of formula (1)

0.22 g of the dye of formula (2),

and

2.4 g of the UV absorber of formula

in a roller rack mixing apparatus for 15 minutes, at 60 revs/min.

The homogeneous mixture is extruded in an extruder (25 mm twin screw from Collin, D-85560 Ebersberg) having 6 heating zones at a maximum temperature of 275° C., is cooled with water, granulated in a granulator (Turb Etuve TE 25 from MAPAG AG, CH-3001 Bern) and then dried for 4 hours at 130° C.

Yellow-brown coloured polyester granules having good all-round fastness properties, especially very good light fastness and high temperature light fastness, are obtained.

EXAMPLE 2

1200.00 g of polyester granules (PET Arnite D04- 300, DSM) are pre-dried for 4 hours at 130° C. and then homogeneously mixed with

0.12 g of the dye of formula (1)

0.18 g of the dye of formula (2),

0.15 g of the dye of formula (6)

and

2.4 g of a UV absorber of formula

in a roller rack mixing apparatus for 15 minutes, at 60 revs/min.

The homogeneous mixture is extruded in an extruder (25 mm twin screw from Collin, D-85560 Ebersberg) having 6 heating zones at a maximum temperature of 275° C., is cooled with water, granulated in a granulator (Turb Etuve TE 25 from MAPAG AG, CH-3001 Bern) and then dried for 4 hours at 130° C.

Green-coloured polyester granules having good all-round fastness properties, especially very good light fastness and high temperature light fastness, are obtained. 

1. A method of producing coloured plastics or polymeric colour particles, which method comprises the steps of admixing with a plastic or polymeric particles a dye of formula

together with a dye of formula

and a UV absorber and, optionally, further dyes, and processing the resulting mixture to obtain the coloured plastic's or polymeric particle's final form.
 2. A method according to claim 1, in which, in addition to the dyes of formulae (1) and (2), a dye of formula

is also admixed.
 3. A method according to either claim 1, in which the UV absorber is selected from the group consisting of 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazoles, 2-hydroxybenzophenones, esters of substituted or unsubstituted benzoic acid, acrylates, oxamides, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazines, monobenzoates of resorcinol, formamidines, and polyester UV absorbers of formula

having a specific weight of from 1200 to 1400, at 25° C. 4-8. (canceled)
 9. Plastics or polymeric particles coloured by a combination according to claim
 1. 10. Beer bottles of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) coloured using a combination according to claim
 1. 11. Beer bottles of polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) coloured using a combination according to claim
 1. 12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the coloured plastics or polymeric particles material obtains its final form as a result of calendering, compression moulding, extrusion, coating, spinning, pouring or injection moulding.
 13. The method according to claim 1 wherein the admixing of the plastics or polymeric particles, the dyes of formulae (1) and (2) and a UV absorber is achieved by using a roll mill or mixing or grinding apparatus.
 14. A method according to claim 1 wherein the admixture of the dyes and the UV absorber is effected immediately prior to the processing step by feeding a dye, a UV absorber and granulated or pulverulent plastic or polymeric particles and, optionally additional ingredients, directly into the intake zone of an extruder wherein mixing occurs just before processing.
 15. A method according to claim 1 wherein the plastic or polymer has a dielectric constant ≧2.5.
 16. A method according to claim 1 wherein the plastic or polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polycarbonates (PC), polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyamides, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, styrene/acrylonitrile (SAN) and acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene (ABS).
 17. A method according to claim 1 wherein the plastic or polymer is selected from the group consisting of linear aromatic polyesters obtained by polycondensation of terephthalic acid and glycols or 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane, polycarbonates, polymers based on polyvinyl chloride and polyamides.
 18. Plastics or polymeric particles coloured by a combination according to claim
 2. 19. A coloured plastic or polymeric coloured particle according to claim 9, wherein the plastic or polymer has a dielectric constant ≧2.5.
 20. A coloured plastic or polymeric coloured particle according to claim 9, wherein the plastic or polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, styrene/acrylonitrile (SAN) and acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene (ABS).
 21. A container for solid or liquid substances prepared from the coloured plastic or polymeric coloured particle according to claim
 9. 22. A container according to claim 22 which is a container for drinks.
 23. Beer bottles of polyethylene terephthalate coloured using a combination according to claim
 2. 24. Beer bottles of polyethylene naphthalate coloured using a combination according to claim
 2. 25. A method of colouring beer bottles of polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate that have already been produced by spraying on or applying dyes of formulae (1) and (2) or a mixture comprising those dyes and a UV absorber. 